A new poll has revealed that half the population of the Highlands fear that the spread of large scale wind farm across wild land could damage tourism in the region. The poll, conducted by the polling company for the John Muir Trust, asked found that over 500 residents across the eight Highlands and Islands constituencies ‘What impact do you think the spread of onshore wind farms on wild land in the Highlands and Islands might have on the tourist industry in the region?’ The results were: A positive impact – 5.8% A negative impact – 49.4% No impact – 44.9%…

Over 100 a day walk on the wild side as Trust's Wild Space visitor centre celebrates one year milestone The John Muir Trust Wild Space visitor centre on Pitlochry's main street is set to celebrate a successful first year which has exceeded all expectations. Over 32,000 people – well over 100 a day on average – have visited the centre since it was opened by top landscape photographer Colin Prior on 22 April 2013. The Wild Space is now staging its fifth exhibition in the Alan Reece Gallery. These have included oil, watercolour, photographic and mixed media exhibitions by some…

The Nature Observatory at Loch Stiapabhat Local Nature Reserve in Ness, Isle of Lewis officially opened last week. Roy Dennis MBE was invited to speak at a short brunch event in Ness before those in attendance grabbed their boots, scopes and jackets and made their way to the loch for the opening of the new observatory. The event was opened by Agnes Rennie, Chair of Urras Oighreachd Ghabhsainn and guests heard a little about the project from Urras Manager Lisa Maclean, who explained that the project was funded by Scottish Natural Heritage, LEADER, RSPB and the John Muir Trust and…

The Friends of Nevis are holding their first litter pick of the season on Sunday 27 April. All are welcome to the event at which volunteers plan to clean up areas of Glen Nevis and tidy the area around the Curling Pond. The event starts at 10:30 at the Ben Nevis Highland Centre in the Glen and will run until around 3:30pm. All safety and litter picking equipment provided, together with refreshments and lunch. Under 18s need to be accompanied by an adult. Although you can just turn up, it helps the organisers if you could let them know if…

Around a hundred protesters gathered on Inverness High Street this afternoon following the deaths of nineteen birds of prey around the Black Isle over recent weeks. Tests already carried out have confirmed that 12 of the birds were victims of illegal poisoning. Many of the dead birds had been tagged as chicks as part of a conservation project. Nineteen white cut-outs of red kites and buzzards were displayed as the protest – which was called by RSPB North Scotland – was led by a lament on the bagpipes from Davie Mitchell. Those attending then heard speeches from the renowned naturalist…

There have been a number of developments in the ingoing scandal of the birds of prey deaths on the Black Isle near Inverness. The number of dead birds found has now risen to 19, with 14 red kites and 5 buzzards; twelve of them now having poisoning as the confirmed cause of death. Police have today raided a number of farms on the Black Isle, with up 10 police vehicles arriving at the farms and officers searching farm houses, outbuildings, barns and bins. “Police are currently conducting searches in the Conon Brae area as part of ongoing enquiries into a…

RSPB Scotland has set up a Justgiving web page after being inundated by calls from members of the public asking to contribute to a reward for information about the deaths of 16 birds of prey. The conservation charity is responding to an outpouring of support from the public, many of whom have expressed a wish to donate money. Police Scotland confirmed earlier this week that 12 red kites and four buzzards were found dead in Ross-shire. At least some of the birds were illegally poisoned. RSPB Scotland is offering a £5,000 reward for information that leads to a successful conviction.…